New research estimates that more than 1,300 new groups
of dinosaur species remain to be discovered. The estimate is higher than
researchers previously thought. In 1990, when 285 genera were known, scientists
estimated that about 900 to 1,200 new genera could still be discovered.
The study’s authors note the increase is partially due to new scientists
entering the field and unearthing fossils from unexplored parts of the
world like China, Mongolia, and South America.

During an interview with
reporters last week Education Secretary Margaret Spellings strongly supported
No Child Left Behind and said the law needs little in the way of revisions.
''I talk about No Child Left Behind like Ivory soap: It's 99.9 percent pure
or something,'' Spellings told reporters. ''There's not much needed in the
way of change,'' reports Associated Press . . . “Yet her view that
the law needs little change is notable because it differs so sharply from
others with a stake, including many teachers, school administrators and
lawmakers.” The remarks come as these stakeholders (including NSTA)
turn attention to the reauthorization of the education law, slated for 2007.
To read the Associated Press story, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2006_09_11_AParticle.htm.
To read the Washington Post article on Secretary Spellings remarks,
visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/30/AR2006083002914.html

How do we best position
our science programs for students to succeed in the 21st century? The
answer to this question is the focus of a new series in NSTA Reports,
“Teaching Science in the 21st Century.” NSTA Reports
is the association’s newspaper, published monthly from September
to May. The series is based on the new NSTA Press book of the same name.
The first in the series features an introduction by Jack Rhoton, co-editor
of the book, and George Nelson’s opinion piece “An Evolutionary
Framework for Instructional Materials.” To read the article, visit
http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=52532.
Look for future installments in NSTA Reports.

Register for the October
19-21 Omaha Midwestern Area Conference by September 15 to get the best
rate of the season! Omaha’s setting provides an ideal location to
discuss topics as diverse as Assessment for Learning, Teaching for Learning
in Science, Freshwater Systems Science and so much more! As with each
NSTA conference, we provide the best speakers to give you the latest tools
for educating your students and enhancing your own content and pedagogical
knowledge. From strands which give you a quick look at what presentations
are of similar interest to half day and full day long Symposia with experts,
NSTA’s area conferences have something for everyone! And don’t
forget about our special field trips for behind the scenes looks! Omaha’s
field trip will take you on a special tour of the Omaha Zoo! See the conference
web site http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2006OMA
for details.

NSTA Science
Store
for an outstanding array of bestselling books and teaching resources:
http://store.nsta.org. And don’t
forget each month we feature a title for 30% off! The September special
is Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment
Probes;to browse the book and to order,
go to http://www.nsta.org/onlinespecial2.

Professional
development courses in your future?Online options give you a world of choice.
Take a look at these institutions
offering courses for science educators!_________________________________________________________________________________________

NSTA Express
Feedback

Please take a moment
and use this form to submit suggestions for NSTA Express to the
NSTA Express team: